Leave your bandage on for at least four hours — overnight if you received the tattoo late in the evening (before your bedtime). Make sure you can wash your tattoo when you remove the bandage. Handwash it using warm water & soap — do not use cloths or sponges. Use water to soak off any of the bandage that sticks to the tattoo. Do not rebandage the tattoo. Wash tattoo at least twice a day while it is healing. Wash your tattoo more often if you work near grease, chemicals, dirt, or if you got your tattoo in or near a high-bacteria area such as the armpit, buttocks, or genitals. Apply light coats of neosporin, or bacitracin for the first 3 - 5 days, then switch to a moisturizing lotion (such as Lubriderm). Lotions are safest to use in warm weather. Keeping the tattoo moist will speed the healing process, but your tattoo also needs to breathe. Heavy application of petroleum based ointments can suffocate the tattoo and cause a rash. You can wet your tattoo, but don’t soak it in the tub or shower for a long time while it is healing. If you work under very dirty conditions or have to wear tight clothes, you can tape a dry paper towel over your tattoo. Try to wear loose clothing around your tattoo. It is normal for your tattoo to flake off tiny pieces of colored skin while it is healing, but you don't want to force it. Do not rub or scratch or pick your tattoo! You can smack the tattoo if it itches too much. Do not expose your tattoo to chlorine, salt, alcohol or sun for 10 days. Be careful with lotions containing excessive alcohol. Only expose tattoo to long periods of sun after it is fully healed and then with a strong sunscreen applied, so as to protect it from the fading effects of radiation. Tattoos normally take 30 days to heal. If you ever have a question or problem with your tattoo, you should call your tattoo artist immediately. He will be able to give you further instructions for proper care. - HAPPY HEALING!